"The capital can't be taken!"
On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 19 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service.
This is an open course route where you have to visit these 19 fortifications in any order you prefer. The shown gpx is the suggested route by Mike Wardian but you can choose another order if you like. Please note that when planning your route you have to ensure your own safety if the route includes roads with heavy traffic.
The fortifications to visit are:
Fort Marcy, Battery Kemble, Fort Bayard, Fort Reno, Fort DeRussey, Fort Stevens, Battleground National Cemetery, Fort Slocum, Fort Totten, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort Mahan, Fort Chaplin (no sign), Fort Dupont, Fort Davis, Fort Stanton (Fort Stanton Farm), Fort Ricketts (no sign but next to Fort Stanton), Fort Carroll/Battery Carroll, Fort Greble, Fort Foote.
